Norma Starszakowna studied at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, Dundee (1962-1966). She established her first design studio in Dundee in 1966 producing dyed, printed fashion and interior textiles for both industrial production and public and private clients. Her work is characterised by experiments with cutting-edge print technologies to produce vibrant, original images that explore memory, time and place through physical traces left by people in landscape. In 1984 Norma received an important
commission for the General Accident HQ Perth, comprising 12 panels each 9′ x 3′ that was subsequently awarded the Scottish Saltire Society Art into Architecture prize. Her major 2003 commission Hinterland for the Scottish Parliament – 18 silk organza panels – combines digital printing, hand-painting and embossed detailing and reflects Scotland’s landscape, industries, cultural history and
tradition of innovation.

Over the years, Norma’s designs have been commissioned by Heals, Fitch & Co, Issey Miyake, Shirin Guild, and Dovecot Studios amongst others. Commissions and collections include: Bank of Scotland; V & A Museum, London; The Whitworth, University of Manchester; and Aberdeen Art Gallery. She has also enjoyed a distinguished career in art and design education as Head of Textiles at Dundee (1984-1995) and subsequent roles as Head of Research, University of The Arts, London; Chair of UK research assessment panel and various bodies in UK and abroad.

“Designers are primarily concerned with the creation of products that meet human needs, real or perceived, and which are appropriate to site, function and application. In so doing, the designer may, through rigorous, investigative practice, also address other concerns that challenge perceptions and shift the paradigms of the disciplines. This is the most exciting challenge of all: contribution to one’s culture through the integration of functional or commercial considerations with meaningful comment on
philosophical, environmental, social or cultural issues.”
Norma Starszakowna, 1996